Valve mechanism



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. K. WOOD.

VALVE MECHANISM. V No. 578,803. Patented Mar; 16,1897.

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. H. K WOOD.

VALVE MBQHA'NISM. v

No. 578,803. Patented Mar. 16, 1897.

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Witnesses: Inventor,"

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8 f/ By July u tziorney, 6%] M PATENT OFFICE.

I-IUBERT K. \VOOD, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

VALVE MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 5723,5503, dated March16, 1897.

Application filed M y 23, 1896- Serial No- 593,423. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HUBERT K. WOOD, a citizen of the United States,residing in Hart ford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ValveMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for con trolling the inflow and outflowof fluid to tanks or reservoirs and other apparatus of analogouscharacter and is more particularly designated as valve mechanism fortanks.

The invention is more especially applicable for regulating the inlet andoutlet of fluid to water-closet tanks; and the object thereof is toprovide an improved mechanism of this character operable to permit aquick outflow and a steady inflow of the fluid to the tank at certainpredetermined periods in the operation of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention isto pro vide an improved valvemechanism for regulating the inflow of water to the tank and which inits operation will be free from the rattling and banging usuallyappertaining to devices of this class.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a tanksuch as awater-closet tankwith this improved valve mechanismapplied thereto,portions of such valve mechanism being shown in section, the inlet andoutlet valves being closed and the tank supplied with fluid to itsnormal level. Fig. 2 is a top View thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsectional View of a tank, showing a part of the valve mechanism insection, the inlet and outlet valves being shown open to permit theinflow and outflow of the water, and the float being illustrated indifferent positions. Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectional View of theinlet-valve mechanism with the valve member open. Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 4, but showing the valve member moving toward its seat.Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 with the valve member seated;and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken in line a a, Fig. 5.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

As a preface to thedescription of this improved valve mechanism, it isto be understood that while such mechanism is illustrated in connectionwith a water-closet tank it is so represented merely for the purposes ofillustration and description, as it is obvious that the mechanism isapplicable to other tanks and apparatus for regulating the inflow andoutflow of fluid in an analogous manner to that herein shown anddescribed.

In valve mechanisms as usually constructed, especially in that class'used in connection with water-closet tanks, one disadvantage has beenthe rattling and hanging of the valve members when in operation andwhich is caused to a great extent by the sudden closing of said valvemembers. In order, therefore, to obviate this serious disadvantage, Ihave provided an improved valve mechanism which will be operable withoutsuch defects and which in a general way comprises, in connection with asuitable tank or reservoir, (designated generally by A,) inlet-valvemechanism, (designated generally by 13,) outlet-valve mechanism,(designated generally by C,) and connecting mechanism or means(designated generally by D) between saidinlet and outlet valvemechanisms.

In the preferred form thereof herein shown and described the inlet-valvemechanism B, which is disposed in a suitable position in the tank A, andwhich tank may be of any desired construction adapted for the purpose,comprises a chambered casing 10, having an inlet-port 11 in connectionwith the usual water-supply by means of a pipe 9 and an outlet-port 12for the passage of the fluid into the tank. This casing is provided witha valve-chamber 13, in which the main-valve member 14 reciprocates. Inthe form illustrated this valve member 14 is provided with a centralbore 15, extending longitudinally therethrough, and which bore ispreferably shown of differential diameters, that part thereof nearestthe valveseat, as a, being provided with screw-threads for the receptionof a threaded nipple 16, having an annular flange 17, and which nipple16' has one end thereof extending into the inlet-port 11 and is providedwith a longitudinal perforation 18, which communicates with that portionof the bore 15 of the valve member which has the a threaded extension 34of the plug 20.

smallest diameter, as 6. Intermediate the nipple-flange 17 and the faceof the valve member 14 a suitable packing 19 is disposed.

That part of the bore which is of the largest diameter, as c, and whichcommunicates with the main-valve chamber 13 is provided with interiorthreads, with which an externally-threaded and annular-flanged plug 20is adapted to engage, and which plug 20 forms, in connection with suchbore 0, a second or supplemental valve chamber 21 in the valve member14. This plug 20 is provided at its lower end with a valve-seat 22,(herein shown in its preferred form as a cone-shaped seat,) and withwhich a supplemental-valve member of any suitable construction but'preferably a ball 23, is adapted to engage. Extending longitudinallythrough the plug and communicating with this valve-seat is a perforationor bore 24, which ends in a twoway passage 25, communicating with thevalve-chamber 13.

Between the upper end of the valve-member 14 and the annular flange orcollar 26 of the plug 20 a suitable cup-shaped packing 27 is disposed,whereby a tight joint is formed in the valve-chamber.

The lower wall of the supplemental-valve chamber 21 is recessed and hasa removable plate 28 resting therein and provided with a slot 29 oflarger diameter centrally thereof than at its sides, whereby when theball-valve in said supplemental chamber is seated in that portion of theslot which has the largest diameter a small stream of water or fluid canpass through the elongated portions of said slot at each side of theball-valve and into the supplemental-valve chamber 21, from thence intothe passage 24 of the plug 20, and finally into the main-valve chamber13 in the manner hereinafter set forth. As a means for closing the upperend of this main-valve chamber 13 an externally-threaded andannular-flan ged removable plug 30 engages with the interior threads 31of the valve-chamber 13, a suitable packing 32 being interposed betweenthe flange and the upper end of the valve-chamber casing. This plug 30is centrally bored to receive an actuating stem or rod 33, which is alsocentrally bored and threaded adjacent to its lower end to receiveIntermediate the lower end of this stem 33 and an annular flange orcollar 35 of the plug 20 a cup-shaped packing 36 is disposed, to therebyform a water-tight joint at this point. In the construction shown thisstem 33 is provided with an annular flange or collar 37 above the plug30, and which flange serves as a stop to divert the water laterallyshould the same penetrate around the packing 36 and stem 33 and thusprevent the same from spurting out of the tank when an uncoveredreservoir is used. The-actuating-stem 33 is provided with a transverseslot 38 for the reception of the inlet-valve-actuating lever or rod ofthe connecting mechanism hereinafter set forth.

The outlet-valve mechanism 0 is disposed in position in the tank in anysuitable and desired way and in the preferred form thereof herein shownand described comprises a casing 40, having an outlet-port 41, which inthe construction shown has an inclined seat 42, although it will beunderstood that this outlet-port and its seat may be formed in variousways without departing from the scope of this invention. The casing isprovided with an overflow-pipe 43, extending upward to the normal heightof the water and which communicates with the outlet-port to therebypermit the outflow of the water should the same rise above its normallevel. The outlet-port closure or valve member in this constructionpreferably comprises a conically-shaped plug 45, adapted to extend intoand of sufficient weight to maintain a firm seat on the mouth of theoutlet-port. This plug has an annular flange 46, adapted to engage theoutlet-port seat 42 when the member is in its closed position. As onemeans for supporting and actuating this plug 45 a bifurcated lever 46 ispivotally secured to an extension 47 of the casing 40 and is connectedto said plug by means of a bolt 48, which extends through the same. Thislever 46 isprovided with a perforated ear 49, adapted to receive thelower end of a chain or cord 50, extending from a pull-lever 51,pivotally secured to the tank in the ordinary way,the opposite end ofsaid pulllever being provided with the usual pull chain or cord 52.Extending laterally from this lever 46 is a suitable stop pin orprojection 53, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

Pivotally secured to one side of the casing is a bifurcated lever in thenature of a bellcrank lever 54, having a weighted end and adapted formovement between two stop devices 56, formed on the side'of the casing40. One member or arm 57 of the bifurcated end of this lever ispreferably curved to engage the stop-pin 53 of the lever 46, whereby itcan beheld in close engagement therewith by means of its weighted endduring the upward movement of the valve member 45. This arm or member 57has a recessed end 58, adapted to engage the laterallyextending pin orprojection 53 and thereby hold the valve-plug open. The other member orarm 60 of this bell-crank lever is provided with a laterally-extendingpin or projection 61 in position to be engaged by the float-lever tothereby actuate the bell-crank lever and per mit the plug 45 to descendin a manner hereinafter set forth.

The connecting mechanism D in its pre ferred form comprises a suitablelever or rod 70, having one end thereof hinged to an arm or extension 71of the inlet-valve casing 10, and said lever extends through thetransverse slot 38 of the inlet-valve stem 33 and thus constitutes theinlet-valve-actuating lever.

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This lever or rod 70'is provided with a laterally-extending pin 72 inposition to be engaged by the end of a float-lever in a mannerhereinafter set forth.

Pivotally secured to an arm or extension 73 of the inlet-valvecasing orat any other suitable place is an angle-lever 74, which is provided withan upwardly-extending arm 75, having a cam-face 76 concentric with thepivotal point of said an gle-lever 7 4, and which cam-face is adapted toengage the laterallyextending pin 72 of the inlet-valve-actuating lever70 at certain predetermined periods in the operation of the mechanism.-Secured in a sleeved end 77 of this angle-lever is a floatrod 78,having a float 79 of any desired construction at its opposite end.

In the operation of this improved valve mechanism, the water being atits normal level in the tank in order to flood the closet bowl or basinwith which the outlet-port is connected by a pipe, as 90, the lever 51is pulled, whereby the outlet valve or closure 45 is moved upward, thelaterally-extending pin 53 thereof traveling along the curved face ofthe lever 57 until it reaches the free end thereof, when the recessedend 58 of said lever 57, by means of its weighted end, is moved intoposition to engage said stop-pin 53 and hold the valve open. (See Fig.3.) During its upward movement the outer end of the lever 46 engages theend of the inletvalve-actuating lever 70 and moves the same upward,thereby actuating the inlet-valve to permit the inflow of water to thetank, which is of course of less volume than the outflow through theoutlet-port. As the outflow decreases the amount of water in the tankthe float descends until the cam-face 76 of the lever 74 is moved intoposition to engage the laterally-extending pin or stop 72 of theinlet-valveactuating lever 70, whereby the same is held in position tomaintain the inlet-valve open. On the further downward movement of thefloat the rod 7 8 thereof engages the laterally-extending arm 61 of thebell-crank lever 5a and depresses the same, thereby disengaging therecessed end 58 of the curved arm or member 57 from the stoppin 53 andpermitting the valve-plug to descend and cut off the outlet, whereuponthe tank will again be supplied with water until the float reaches itsnormallevel,when the cam-face 76 of the lever 74 will be actuated torelease the laterally-extending pin 72 of the inlet-valve-actuatinglever 70, and thus permit the inlet-valve to close to cut off the supplyof water to the tank. This closing of the main inlet-valve is regulatedby means of the supplemental valve, so' that the rattling of the same isprevented-that is to say, if the water from the inlet-port during theclosing movement of the main valve were permitted to flow with greatforce into the valve-chamber above the valve member it would close thesaid member upon its seat suddenly; but owing to this particularconstruction when the cam-face of the float-lever releases theinlet-valve-actuating lever the water in the valve-chamber above theinlet-valve member, having greater pressure at this point, owing to itslarger area than at the inlet-port thereof, tends to move the valvemember toward its seat, and which closing movement is regulated by thesupplemental valve in the following manner: During the closing movementof the main-valve member the supplemental-valve member 21 seats itselfon its conical seat and thereby pre vents the sudden inflow of water tothe mainvalve chamber. The supplemental valve, however, does not seatitself so firmly as entirely to cut off the flow of water to themainvalve chamber, as owing to the constant fluctuation of suchsupplemental valve, due, mainly, to the weight thereof and to the factthat the pressure of water is not sufficient to maintain the valvetightly against its seat, such supplemental valve permits the passage ofa small stream around the same, so that the main valve member is slowlyclosed, owing to the gradual increase of water in the main-valvechamber. When the main-valve member is closed firmly on its seat, theball 21 moves into position to engage the slotted plate 28 and therebycuts ofi a greater portion of the inflow of water from the inlet-port tothe valve-chamber, the elongated portions of the slot, however,permitting a slight outflow from the valve-chamber and a decrease in thepressure thereof when the valve member is moved upward.

It will be understood, as before stated, that various constructions ofthe supplemental valve might be used as substitutes for the ball, thevalve-seats being correspondingly changed, and that the valve-actuatingmechanism can be variously modified without departing from my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A valve comprising a chamberedvalvecasing having an inlet and an outlet port; a main-valve membertherein; and a normally freely-movable supplemental valve disposed inthe main valve and automatically movable to regulate the closingmovement of the main valve.

2. A valve comprising a chambered valvecasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a main-valve member having a longitudinal bore forming asupplemental-valve chamber; and a ball-valve disposed in the chamber ofthe main valve and operable to regulate the closing movement of saidmain valve.

3. A valve comprising a chambered valvecasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a main-valve member disposed therein and having alongitudinal bore of diiferential diameters; a removable,longitudinally-bored plug fitting in that part thereof having thelargest diameter and forming a supplemental-valve chamber; and asupplemental-valve member therein operable to regulate the closingmovement of the main-valve member.

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4. A valve comprising a chambered valvecasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a valve member operable therein and having a longitudinalbore of differential diameters; a nipple disposed in one end of saidmember and having a longitudinal perforation; a longitudinally-boredplug disposed in that portion of the bore having the largest diameterand forming a supplemental-valve chamber; and a supplemental-valvemember in said chamber operable to regulate the closing movement of themain valve.

5. A valve comprising a chambered valvecasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a valve member therein having a longitudinal bore forming asupplemental-valve chamber; a plate disposed at the lower end of saidsupplemental chamber and having a slot of differential diameters; and asupplementalvalve member operable in said supplementalvalve chamber tocontrol the closing movement of said main valve and adapted to regulatethe fiow of Water through said slotted plate.

6. A valve-comprising a chambered valveoasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a main valve in said casing having a longitudinal bore ofdifferential diameters; a longitudinally-perforated nipple disposed inone end of said valve member; a longitu dinally-bored plug disposed inthat portion of the valvemember bore having the largest diameter andthereby forming a supplemental-valve chamber, said plug having a conicalseat; a slotted plate mounted on the lower Wall of the supplementalvalve chamber; and a supplemental ball-valve operable in saidsupplementalvalve chamber to regulate the closing move ment of the mainvalve.

7. A valve comprising a chambered valvecasing having an inlet and anoutlet port; a main-valve member in said chambered casing and having alongitudinal bore of differential diameters; a longitudinally-perforatednipple disposed in one end of said valve member; a longitudinally-boredplug disposed in that portion of the bore of the valve member having thelargest diameter and thereby forming a supplemental-valve chamber, saidplug having a two-Way passage connecting its longitudinal bore With themain-valve chamber and also having a conical seat; a plate having a slotof differential diameters mounted on the loWer Wall of thesupplemental-valve chamber; a ball-valve operable in said supplementalchamber to regulate the closing movement of said valve; and meanssecured to said longitudinally-bored plug for operating said main valve.

8. The combination of a tank, valve mechanism therein comprising acasing having an outlet-port; a valve member pivotally secured to saidcasing and operable to close said port and having a laterally-extendingstop device; means for actuating said valve member to open said port; abell-crank lever pivotally secured to the casing and having a Weightedend and operable on the actuation of the valve member to hold saidmember open, said lever having a laterally-extending arm; and a floatpivotally secured in position and adapted to have its rod engage saidlaterally-extending arm of the bell-crank lever, to thereby disengagesaid lever from the stop device of the valve member and permit saidvalve member to close.

9. The combination of a tank, an inlet-valve comprising a chamberedcasing having an inlet and an outlet port and a valve member operabletherein; means for actuating said valve member; an outlet-valvecomprising a casing having an outlet-port; a valve member operable toclose said port; means for actuating said outlet-valve member, tothereby open said outlet-port and simultaneouslyactuate the inlet-valve;means for holding said outlet-valve member open during a predeterminedperiod in the operation of the apparatus and means operable to engagesaid valvemember-holding means to thereby disengage the same from theoutlet-valve member and permit the closing of the same and tosimultaneously engage the inlet-valve-actuating means and hold the sameopen after the outlet-valve member is closed.

10. The combination of a tank, valve mechanism therein comprising aninlet-valve and means for actuating the same, and an outletvalve andmeans for actuating the same, said outlet-valve being operable to openthe inletvalve; means for holding said outlet-valve open; and meansoperable to engage the outlet-valve-holding means to actuate the sameand permit the closing of said outlet-port and to simultaneously engagethe inlet-valve-actuating means, to thereby hold said inletvalve openafter the closing of said outletvalve.

11. The combination of a tank, valve mechanism therein comprising aninlet-valve, and means for actuating the same, and an outletvalve andmeans for actuating the same, said outlet-valve being operable toactuate the inlet-valve to open the same; means for holding saidoutlet-valve open; and a float operable to actuate saidoutlet-valve-holding means, to thereby release the same from theoutlet-valve member and permit the closing thereof and to simultaneouslyengage the inlet-valve-actuating means to hold the same open after theclosing of the outlet-valve member.

12. The combination of a tank, valve mechmovement of said outlet-valve,and thereby open the inlet-valve; means for actuating said outlet-valveto open the outlet-port; means operable on the opening movement of saidoutlet-valve to hold said valve open; and means operable to engage thestop device of the inlet-valve-aotuating lever, to hold the same openafter the closing of the outlet-valve and also operable to engage theoutlet-valveholding means to disengage the same from the outlet-valvemember and permit the closing thereof.

13. The combination of a tank, valve mechanism therein comprising aninlet-valve having a valve-actuating lever and a laterallyextending stopthereon; an outlet-valve having an actuating-lever also provided with alaterally-extending stop and adapted to engage the inlet-valve-aotuatinglever, to thereby open the inlet-valve; means for actuating theoutlet-valve; a lever pivotally secured in position and adapted toengage said laterally-extending stop of the outlet-val\'*'e-aotnatinglever, to thereby hold said outlet-valve member open, said lever alsohaving a laterally-extending arm; and a float pivotally secured inposition to engage the. laterally-extending arm of the lever, to therebydisengage said lever from the stop of the outletvalve-aotnating leverand permit the closing movement of said outlet-valve member, said floathaving a cam-face adapted to engage the laterally-extendin g stop of theinlet-valveactnating lever and thereby hold the same open during apredetermined period in the operation of the mechanism.

' HUBERT K. WOOD. \Vitnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, HENRY BISSELL.

